The White Sox general manager is considered one of the most aggressive GMs in the game, and word that he's chasing Manny Ramirez shouldn't come as a surprise. Remember the "big deal " the ChiSox had brewing that may have scuttled the Edwin Jackson trade? Yeah, the guy Williams was trying to get was ManRam.

Obviously, that didn't work out, but Kenny isn't done trying. He's trying once more, although the odds are long.

The Dodgers have asked Chicago for Dayan Viciedo in any Ramirez trade, reports SI.com's Jon Heyman. Viciedo was the No. 6 prospect for the White Sox entering the season according to Baseball America and is currently sharing time at third base with Omar Vizquel. In 59 at-bats, he has yet to draw a walk but is hitting .322 with five doubles and two home runs. The future looks bright for him.

However, as FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal just said on the MLB Network, Chicago asked L.A. to pay all but one million of Manny's remaining $6.7 million due this year -- something the Dodgers outright rejected. Given the Dodgers are the ones that have been trying to save money the last two-to-three years, the fact that Chicago made this request is odd.

The White Sox are trying desperately to acquire a hitter. They missed out on Lance Berkman, headed to the Yankees, when Berkman exercised his no-trade clause to block a trade to Chicago. They have been trying since the beginning of time to steal Adam Dunn away from the Nationals, but the Nationals have an exorbitant trade price. Chicago acquired Edwin Jackson from the Diamondbacks in the hopes they could flip him for Washington, but the Nats are balking -- and the White Sox are reportedly furious .

Williams may not succeed in his pursuit of a hitter, but he's certainly trying.

The Dodgers aren't shopping Ramirez, but are taking calls from not just the White Sox, but the Rays and a "mystery team," a near-requisite for any Scott Boras client to have as Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports reports . Although the Dodgers are in contention for a postseason spot, the club recently acquired Scott Podsednik who could take over a full-time role. -- Evan Brunell For more baseball news, rumors and analysis, follow @cbssportsmlb on Twitter.

ESPN columnist Keith Law said (via Twitter ) that an executive of another club told him the White Sox are "furious with the Nats over Edwin Jackson."

This is based on nothing but speculation and observation of the events of the week, but did the Nationals perhaps reel the White Sox into trading for Jackson, giving them the impression that the inclusion of the pitcher would get a deal done for Washington outfielder Adam Dunn, then change the terms? Did the White Sox get stuck with Jackson, a useful player but one who wasn't their target?

There were various reports earlier in the week of the possibility of a three-way trade between the Diamondbacks, White Sox and Nationals, in which Jackson would wind up in Washington and Dunn in Chicago. When the White Sox traded independently with Arizona for Jackson, there was anticipation Chicago would then flip him to the Nationals in a package for Dunn.

At least to this point, that hasn't happened, and the White Sox have been less than convincing in their position of, "Oh, yeah, we've always wanted Edwin Jackson!"

Stay tuned. This could get interesting.

-- David Andriesen For more baseball news, rumors and analysis, follow @cbssportsmlb on Twitter.

In an email to Scott Merkin of MLB.com, White Sox general manager Kenny Williams admitted the first baseman invoked his 10-and-5 rights to veto being traded to Chicago. "I can't deny the truth," Williams wrote, according to Merkin via Twitter. "It is what it is."

Players with 10 years of major league service, who have been with their current team at least five years, must give approval to be traded. Berkman told reporters in Houston that two days ago, Astros general manager Ed Wade came to him with a list of eight teams that had inquired about him. Berkman said he gave four yeas and four nays, one of the latter apparently being the White Sox.

Berkman agreed to go to New York, and that 24-hour process will be completed Saturday.

-- David Andriesen For more baseball news, rumors and analysis, follow @cbssportsmlb on Twitter.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo is adamant. If nobody is willing to meet his price on Adam Dunn, the slugger will remain in Washington.

"The closer to the deadline it gets, the more pressure is on the teams to come with something that makes sense for me to trade one of the best offensive players in baseball," Rizzo told reporters Friday. "I will come to the price where I originally said I'm going to go, or I won't trade him. The price won't come down."

Dunn is the biggest piece left on the trade market, with the non-waiver deadline looming at 4 p.m. ET Saturday. The White Sox, Rays, Tigers and Giants are considered players for Dunn, with the Yankees a possibility if they decide to stockpile even after getting Lance Berkman.

"There's quite a bit of interest in him," Rizzo said. "Suffice to say, he's a very popular player right now."

-- David Andriesen For more baseball news, rumors and analysis, follow @cbssportsmlb on Twitter.

Adam Dunn doesn't want to become a designated hitter, and has made that very clear. In a recent interview with Facts and Rumors' C. Trent Rosecrans, Dunn said, "I don't want to DH. If I have to DH, I'll probably go home."

Statements like that haven't dissuaded American League teams from pursuing a rental of the impending free agent, and Dunn seems to have softened on the idea of bing a DH at least for the rest of the season.

"That's just Dhing for two months," Dunn told the Washington Post on Friday. "It's not like if I make this move, it's career-ending."

Dunn said that, despite rumors to the contrary, he had not been told anything about a potential destination. He also indicated nothing is getting done with a possible extension with the Nationals. He's waiting around for news or for the deadline to pass, just like everyone else.

"It sucks," Dunn said. "Part of it, dude. You just get tired of hearing it. You can't even watch TV. I don't know how else to put it. It probably would affect other people more than it does me. It doesn't, because my options are awesome. I can't have better options [than] what I have."

Leading up to Saturday's trade deadline, the MLB Facts & Rumors team takes a look at the biggest names on the trade block. Friday takes a gander at the best starting pitcher left on the market, Houston's Brett Myers.

Career stats : 81-69, 261 G, 201 GS, 4.26 ERA in 1328 2/3 IP, 1,099 K, 455 BBContract status : Myers signed a one-year, $5.1 million deal that includes a 2011 mutual option of $8 million with a $2 million buyout attached.

Why he's desirable Brett Myers is having a sensational season, no two ways about it. His home run rate is unsustainably low, but has no BABIP trends that scream fluke and a solid 2.69 K/BB ratio. He's pitching a bit over his head, but not by that much and is easily the best pitcher remaining on the starting pitcher market that is known which includes luminaries such as Jeremy Guthrie, Ted Lilly and Jake Westbrook.

Why he's available Available probably isn't the right word -- teams are calling on Myers but the Astros seem unwilling to listen, according to the New York Post's Joel Sherman. Can you blame Houston? Myers is having a career season and the Astros would prefer not to decimate their roster even as they rebuild. In addition, while doubtful, Houston is hoping for a relatively quick rebuild.

While 2011 contention is out, Myers has a more than affordable $8 million mutual option the Astros can exercise and at least give the club a fighting chance at a win one out of every five days. For Houston to part with the righty, teams will have to submit a very strong offer that forces Houston's hand. That's not out of the realm of possibility, as teams continue to sour on other mid-rotation starters that aren't much better than in-house candidates.

Who is interested The White Sox were thought to be making a play for Myers, although with the acquisition of Edwin Jackson, might be out of the race -- unless Jackson is spun for Adam Dunn. Then, Chicago's right back in the market for a starting pitcher.

The division-rival Twins have also been linked to Myers, but after dealing Wilson Ramos for Matt Capps of the Nationals, would the Twins be interested in extending their budget yet again and depleting the farm yet again?

The Mets also inquired into Myers, but were scared off by the Astros' asking price. No other team has been linked recently, although the Dodgers would certainly love to have Myers' services, as would near any team still in contention.

Expected return There isn't any word what the Astros want in return for Myers, but given that he's been considered "untouchable" by Houston -- posturing for sure, but not all that far off the mark -- it will absolutely take a top prospect to acquire Myers, perhaps even more. And that prospect will have to be close to major-league ready, as the Astros aren't interested in a long-term rebuilding process. The following is just speculation, but of the teams above, the following names might make sense for Houston:

Fernando Martinez from the Mets, who could become a starter for the Astros. F-Mart's luster has fallen off as of late, however. The Astros would also certainly ask for Jon Niese, whom the Mets have near-zero interest in dealing.

If the White Sox wanted to remove even more top prospects from their system, the Astros would go after Jordan Danks or Brent Morel. Dayan Viciedo is a possibility, but he would not be the centerpiece.

The Twins could be persuaded to part with Ben Revere, but Danny Valencia is probably not going anywhere given the Twins' need for him in the bigs.

What happens The Astros will hang onto Myers and cross their fingers that Myers agrees to return to town on the mutual option. If he does, Myers becomes a virtual lock to be traded at the deadline in 2011.

The ChiSox outmanuevered the Nats for Jackson -- Washington reportedly lusts after the 26-year-old who is signed through 2011 before becoming a free agent.

Jackson experienced a breakthrough year in 2009 for the Tigers, posting a 3.62 ERA in 214 innings, winning 13 games. Prior to that, he was an inconsistent, back-of-the-rotation starter for the Rays after coming over from the Dodgers. Jackson has backslid thus far this year to a 5.16 ERA, thanks to a regression in his walk rate. He still remains a quality young arm, even if $8.35 million due his way in 2011 and a total of $4 million in 2009 make the right-hander pricey.

The Diamondbacks made Jackson available both due to price and the fact that the club is rebuilding after shipping Dan Haren to the Angels. Jackson gives the White Sox a mid-rotation starter, something they were seeking along with a thumper. To get Jackson, the Pale Hose will surrender Daniel Hudson and prospect David Holmberg.

Hudson made his debut in 2009 as a 22-year-old and while he doesn't have a high ceiling, is ready to pitch in the big leagues now and can give the Diamondbacks years of cost-controlled salaries with the potential of seeing Hudson develop into a No. 2 or 3 starter (the latter more likely). Hudson has strong strikeout rates in the minors that he has been able to translate to the majors, but his control has taken a beating. He needs as much time in the majors as possible to get familiar with the strike zone which will only happen on a non-contending team. Whaddya know, that's Arizona.

Holmberg was drafted in the second round of the 2009 draft and threw up a 4.72 ERA between the bullpen and rotation for the Rookie club as a 17-year-old over 40 1/3 innings. Baseball America labeled Holmberg the ChiSox's eighth best prospect entering the season, projecting him as a workhorse in the rotation.

Repeating the level for 2010, Holmberg has a 4.46 ERA in eight starts, walking nine and whiffing 29. He's an intriguing prospect and along with Hudson may actually give the DBacks a far more tantalizying package than they got for Dan Haren. Funny how that works.

Also, the Diamondbacks are certainly hoarding picks from the 2009 draft, as Nick Piecoro from the Arizona Republicpoints out. With Pat Corbin and Tyler Skaggs from the Haren deal along with Holmberg joining 'Zona's prospects, the team has 11 of the first 95 picks in the draft inside the organization.

Will Chicago hang onto Jackson? It's very possible, but it's also possible that the White Sox use Jackson as a means of getting Adam Dunn.

-- Evan Brunell

For more baseball news, rumors and analysis, follow @cbssportsmlb on Twitter.

Troy Renck of the Denver Post reports that theWhite SoxandPadres have inquired as to Hawpe, who is in the final year of his guaranteed contract paying out $7.5 million. He has a buyout for $500,000 and a club option for $10 million that is a lock not to be picked up.

Hawpe, a liability on defense, is in the midst of his poorest season since 2005, when he appeared in 101 games as a 26-year-old. He is generally good for 25 home runs a year and cranked a career-high 42 doubles in 2009. His career average is .285, so he brings a solid, all-around offensive package to the table.

The knock against Hawpe is not only his defense but his poor play on the season. Hawpe got off to a scorching start in April but since then has been lousy. In June, he hit .228/.295/.329 in 88 at-bats and July has not been much better.

Renck says that Hawpe is owed $3 million the rest of the way, followed by the buyout. Someone so limited on defense and who has been in a deep slump for over a month has quite a difficult trade market. It's likely he'll be the prize that a jilted loser of the Adam Dunn sweepstakes scoops up. -- Evan Brunell For more baseball news, rumors and analysis, follow @cbssportsmlb on Twitter.